San Francisco's beloved United Nations Skate Plaza has officially started its highly anticipated expansion with a rad new addition of 2,100 square feet of skateable terrain. At the heart of this development is a set of unique, skateable geometric art installations designed by none other than Olympic skateboarder and MIT-trained architect Alexis Sablone. And yes, she rides for Converse CONs. This long-awaited skate haven is a product of the combined efforts of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, The Skatepark Project, and Converse, which has brought a fresh vibe to the northeast corner of the existing plaza.

The revamp of the U.N. Skate Plaza isn’t just about gnarly kickflips and grinds; it's a comprehensive emblem of communal space transformation. According to the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, the renovation is a key component of SF Rec and Park’s ongoing U.N. Plaza revitalization scheme, launched in November 2023 with a $2 million budget. Board of Supervisors President Rafael Mandelman said, "Creativity is a cornerstone of San Francisco values and the U.N. Skate Plaza is a testament to that spirit." It has turned out to be quite the hub for skaters, with the kicker being its promise of inclusivity.

Making its grand appearance on February 15, from noon to 3 p.m., the expanded plaza played host to an event teeming with local youth, skateboarding demos, and trick competitions, all orchestrated by the very initiators of this skatepark revolution: Converse, The Skatepark Project, and Skate Like a Girl. This was not just some mundane ribbon-cutting but a full-blown celebration of skate culture. The event welcomed aficionados from across the Bay Area, as asserted by Hoodline, detailing the kick-off’s agenda, including live stunts by the Converse CONS skate team.